US embassy cable - 04AMMAN6172

UNCLAS AMMAN 006172 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
4110/ITA/MAC/OAC/TCC/NWIEGLER 
STATE FOR NEA/ARN 
STATE PASS TO USTR - E. SAUMS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, KTIA, PREL, JO 
SUBJECT: JISM HEAD WAITING FOR GUIDANCE FOR DAMAN EXEMPTION 
 
REF: AMMAN 6121 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED.  FOR USG USE ONLY. 
 
1. (U)  This is an action request.  See last para. 
 
2.  (SBU)  SUMMARY:  Jordan Institute of Standards and 
Metrology (JISM) head Dr. Ahmad Hindawi called on Charge July 
 21 to reiterate his commitment to revamp the DAMAN 
pre-inspection system to be consistent with the FTA and to 
request "comprehensive" assistance to improve his 
organization's capacity.  Charge noted a consultant would be 
available in August to provide guidance for a long-term 
waiver program, and asked about next steps on the proposed 
interim exemption from DAMAN for U.S. goods (Ref).  Hindawi 
requested guidance on U.S. standards in order to implement 
the interim exemption.  END SUMMARY. 
 
3.  (SBU) Hindawi outlined again JISM's goal to provide a 
consumer safety system and the perceived need to use 
pre-shipment inspections to ensure safe products.  Noting 
that JISM had no intention to interfere with bilateral trade 
agreements, he admitted gaps in the current system, including 
his staff's lack of knowledge regarding U.S. product 
standards.  Noting JISM's 30 inspectors must cover 15,000 
industrial sites and 100,000 shops, he said that JISM needed 
comprehensive assistance.  He expressed a need for more help 
with U.S. standards on inspection, certification, and 
accreditation of products.  He noted that he had sent a 
lengthy proposal for such assistance a few years ago and 
promised to send the package again.  The Charge said that he 
would be happy to receive the proposal but could not make any 
commitments. 
 
4. (SBU)  Expressing appreciation for Hindawi's commitment to 
address our FTA concerns, Charge asked where the interim 
exemption for U.S. products stood.  Hindawi noted that he 
wanted to turn a pre-shipment inspection system into a 
post-shipment regime.  He wanted to proceed with technical 
talks, he said, as had been agreed with Commerce Assistant 
Secretary Lash (Ref).  Charge noted that a consultant would 
 
SIPDIS 
be provided by USAID in August, after which we could agree on 
the details.  In the meantime, a proposal had been put 
forward to exempt on an interim basis any goods produced in 
the United States from DAMAN. 
 
5.  (SBU)  Hindawi said that in order to approve an interim 
exemption he needed to know the U.S. standards used to 
approve products for U.S. markets.  "Tell us what you approve 
for your own people," he concluded. 
 
6.  (SBU)  Charge replied that JISM may receive a simpler 
answer than Dr. Hindawi might be expecting.  Nonetheless, the 
USG viewed this matter as a high priority and appreciates the 
GOJ's willingness to work with us on this issue.  Charge also 
promised to look into what might be done to provide 
comprehensive technical assistance to JISM. 
 
7.  (U)  ACTION REQUESTED:  Pending guidance requested in 
reftel, Embassy would appreciate on an urgent basis an 
appropriate summary report on U.S. product standards to share 
with JISM staff, so that we can move forward with an interim 
exemption for U.S. products.  An exemption for U.S. products 
from this challenging trade barrier is in the best interests 
of U.S. exporters. 
HALE